After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Got Together with My White Moonlight - Chapter 48

Yan Guiqiu is Jiang Xuehe’s girlfriend.

Qin Xiangxi’s face paled several shades, her steps faltering as she nearly stumbled. She leaned against the doorframe to steady herself.

She turned to look at Jiang Xuehe, searching for any hint of jest on her face.

But there was none.

No matter how intently she stared at Jiang Xuehe, the latter merely returned her gaze with a calm yet slightly cold expression.

Hostility.

For the first time, Qin Xiangxi clearly sensed this from Jiang Xuehe.

But those flashes of anger, resistance, and vigilance quickly subsided as Jiang Xuehe swiftly regained her composure.

“I don’t know why Miss Qin would delude herself into thinking either of us has any affection for you, but I hope you can open your eyes to reality, the only connection you have with Guiqiu is being elementary school classmates. You don’t even have her phone number, so what ‘affection’ are you talking about?”

By this measure, the relationship between Yan Guiqiu and Qin Xiangxi was even weaker than that between Jiang Xuehe and Qin Xiangxi. At least the latter two families had some minor collaborations and occasional interactions.

But these were merely superficial “excuses.”

Jiang Xuehe disliked losing her temper with others. Even as anger surged within her, she forcibly suppressed it with reason.

In that moment, she even considered suggesting Qin Xiangxi seek psychiatric help at a hospital.

But that would be no different from a direct personal attack, something Jiang Xuehe would never say under normal circumstances.

Jiang Xuehe turned to look out the window, silent for a moment. Only after her emotions had settled slightly did she continue speaking to Qin Xiangxi: “I also fail to see anything special about Miss Qin’s feelings toward Guiqiu. But Guiqiu has no connection with you, so please do not disturb her.”

She narrowed her eyes and added meaningfully, “I don’t think Miss Qin seems like the type to enjoy meddling in other people’s relationships as a third party.”

Qin Xiangxi was left in a state of panic.

It felt as though everything had spiraled out of control in that instant.

How could Yan Guiqiu be with Jiang Xuehe?

How did they even meet?

How could Yan Guiqiu suddenly stop liking her? Her mind was a chaotic mess of unanswered questions. Qin Xiangxi was never skilled at arguing with others, and in her dazed state, she could only stammer incoherently.

Her face was as pale as if the sky were about to collapse.

Jiang Xuehe had no interest in delving deeper into Qin Xiangxi’s inner turmoil. She picked up her phone and called Xiao He, instructing her to escort Qin Xiangxi out.

When Xiao He pushed the door open, she was startled.

She glanced from Jiang Xuehe to Qin Xiangxi, feeling that the latter’s complexion looked as if she were on the verge of needing another hospital visit.

Xiao He was afraid of being held responsible and hesitated to reach out and support her.

Jiang Xuehe shot Xiao He a meaningful look, and Xiao He immediately stepped forward to help Qin Xiangxi away.

If Qin Xiangxi’s parents heard the commotion and barged in, the situation would become even more complicated.

Xiao He didn’t dare use too much force and failed to move Qin Xiangxi on the first try.

Qin Xiangxi’s hands were tightly gripping the door handle, her lower lip bitten hard as she stared blankly in one direction.

“Miss Qin!” Xiao He called out.

Qin Xiangxi seemed not to hear.

“Miss Qin.” Jiang Xuehe also called her name, her voice lowered slightly. “There’s one thing you’ve misjudged, I am not as gentle as you imagine.”

That tone instantly reminded Qin Xiangxi of her past life after she married into the Jiang family, Jiang Xueyang had done a series of foolish things for her, which ultimately made Jiang Xuehe utterly despise her.

Just before the Qin family went bankrupt, they had encountered each other at opposite ends of a corridor, gazing at one another from afar. Jiang Xuehe had used that very tone when looking at her.

A warning? A show of force? Or mockery?

Qin Xiangxi couldn’t tell, only instinctively feeling fear, a chill running down her spine as if an invisible malice was rushing toward her.

When she looked up again at Jiang Xuehe, she was still wearing that calm, unassuming expression that made it impossible to feel guarded.

Yet, with that very demeanor, Jiang Xuehe had once before, in her past life, effortlessly stripped her of everything.

“I hope you won’t do anything to challenge my bottom line,” Jiang Xuehe said finally. “Xiao He, see our guest out from now on, if Miss Qin comes again, just escort her out.”

Xiao He stiffened. The last time a customer had deliberately caused trouble shortly after the business opened, Jiang Xuehe had still greeted them with a smile and told Xiao He not to argue with them.

This was the first time she had ever ordered someone to be thrown out.

Without further delay, Xiao He applied a bit of force and “escorted” Qin Xiangxi out.

Qin Xiangxi, disheartened and lost, offered no resistance.

As for the fury of Qin’s parents, who had been anxiously waiting outside to see their daughter, that was no longer Jiang Xuehe’s concern.

Before Qin’s parents could voice their anger, Xiao He spoke up first, saying that Miss Qin seemed unwell and suggesting they take her to the hospital for a check-up, advising them not to let her wander around before she had fully recovered.

With that, it was as if Qin’s parents were the ones being unreasonable, allowing their daughter to roam about while still unwell.

Seeing their daughter’s pale face and unsteady, swaying posture, Qin’s parents ultimately let concern and care prevail. Frowning, they took their daughter back to the hospital.

On the way to the hospital, Qin Xiangxi remained silent the entire time, staring blankly out the car window.

Her mother sat beside her, holding her hand, continuously criticizing Jiang Xuehe and urging her daughter not to dwell on such a heartless woman.

Qin Xiangxi showed no reaction, as if she hadn’t heard a thing, murmuring something under her breath.

Her mother leaned in closer to listen and caught the name Yan Guiqiu.

Qin Xiangxi was wondering what had happened in this world.

She could accept Jiang Xuehe not liking her, that had always been the case.

But she had never imagined that Yan Guiqiu would no longer care for her.

Just before she jumped to her death in her past life, Yan Guiqiu had held her hand, pleading with her earnestly and humbly to come back with her.

Yan Guiqiu had said she would love Jiang Xuehe for a lifetime.

Yan Guiqiu had said that even if Jiang Xuehe lost everything, she could support her for the rest of her life.

Yan Guiqiu had said she didn’t mind if Qin Xiangxi’s heart would always belong to someone else.

As long as Qin Xiangxi would just turn and look at her.

Yan Guiqiu was supposed to remain by Qin Xiangxi’s side as a friend for life, appearing only when needed and offering all the help she could.

But Jiang Xuehe had acted too swiftly and ruthlessly. Qin Xiangxi’s life had plummeted, and she had even lost her home. Yan Guiqiu, fearing she might do something drastic out of despair, had chosen to confess her feelings.

Among all the people Qin Xiangxi knew, no one else had ever cared for her with such devotion.

Qin Xiangxi always claimed she had no feelings for Yan Guiqiu, that she didn’t like her, but Yan Guiqiu had never known the meaning of giving up. Even if it meant retreating to the boundary of friendship, she would still cling desperately to Qin Xiangxi’s side.

Perhaps out of pity for Yan Guiqiu’s persistence, Qin Xiangxi eventually turned a blind eye and allowed her to stay close.

For as many years as Qin Xiangxi had loved Jiang Xuehe, Yan Guiqiu had waited faithfully by Qin Xiangxi’s side.

Over time, this waiting became a habit, and Qin Xiangxi began to take it for granted.

If one day Yan Guiqiu were to say she no longer liked her, Qin Xiangxi would be lost, confused, and utterly at a loss.

Because she had never once considered the possibility that Yan Guiqiu might stop loving her.

But after dying once, everything changed.

Her mother’s voice came from beside her: “Even though Yan Guiqiu seems to have given up her inheritance rights, she’s genuinely good to you. At least much better than Jiang Xuehe. Besides, the Jiang family is a mess, and Jiang Xuehe’s mother is no easy opponent. Meanwhile, Madam Yan has her own company, and Yan Guiqiu is her biological daughter, she’ll surely leave her a share of the family assets. It won’t be a loss for you.”

Qin Xiangxi froze for a moment before finally turning her head, murmuring in confusion, “Madam Yan?”

Her mother replied, “Yan Guiqiu’s mother. You’ve never met her, she’s not in our social circle. But I’ve heard she’s very good to her daughter.”

“Mom?” Qin Xiangxi finally began processing the information of this world.

This world was different from the one she knew.

Only now did Qin Xiangxi dare to consider the possibility.

In her past life, Yan Guiqiu’s mother had passed away during her middle school years. It was said to be due to a delayed response to a car accident, but Yan Guiqiu had once confided in her that someone had deliberately interfered. At the time, they hadn’t been wary of their own relatives and had fallen victim to the scheme.

Because of that experience, Yan Guiqiu had always struggled to trust others. Aside from Qin Xiangxi, whom she had known since childhood, she never opened her heart to anyone else not even making a single true friend.

In her past life, Qin Xiangxi was Yan Guiqiu’s entire world.

But in this life, this Yan Guiqiu was no longer the decisive and powerful “Little Yan CEO,” gentle only toward her. Instead, she was just an ordinary university student.

Yet this Yan Guiqiu had both parents alive, a happy family, and was well-liked by everyone.

Most importantly, this Yan Guiqiu was no longer the person who would go to any lengths to grow up alongside her.

Although they had attended the same schools for over a decade, they were no longer always in the same class or seated together. In university, their faculties and dormitories were even located at opposite ends of the campus.

Naturally, there was no one who constantly worried about when she ate or slept, nor anyone who would fulfill her every desire at a moment’s notice.

This Yan Guiqiu didn’t even have Qin Xiangxi’s contact information, let alone keep her pinned at the top of a special contacts list.

Qin Xiangxi clutched her head and bent over as conflicting memories flooded her mind, making her feel as though her skull would split open from the pain. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Half of her remembered Yan Guiqiu traveling across half the city, covered in dust, to buy her favorite snacks never complaining, only smiling gently as she said she’d gladly do it again if Qin Xiangxi wanted.

Half of the scene was Yan Guiqiu holding her by the collar and dragging her out of the alley, with a group of fallen thugs lying behind them. As if afraid of dirtying her hands, Yan Guiqiu let go the moment they stepped out, giving her a cold, indifferent glance while muttering under her breath, “What a nuisance.” Without a single word of concern, she turned and walked away without looking back.

Qin’s mother was startled and called out repeatedly, “Xixi, Xixi, what’s wrong? Don’t scare Mom! We’ll be at the hospital soon, don’t be afraid.”

While holding her daughter and anxiously comforting her, she turned and shouted at Qin’s father, “Old Qin! Drive faster! Can’t you see Xixi isn’t feeling well?!”

Qin’s father silently stepped on the accelerator, speeding straight to the nearest hospital.

Just as Qin Xiangxi was being rushed to the hospital again, Yan Guiqiu had already arrived at Jiang Xuehe’s art gallery.

Due to a minor incident during the debate competition, two of the matches had been postponed to the afternoon. Yan Guiqiu still had to go back in the afternoon, but she could finish early in the morning and take a break.

Xiao He brought out some snacks from the cabinet to treat Yan Guiqiu. Jiang Xuehe, who had just finished her work, came out from the back. Seeing Yan Guiqiu, she smiled and asked, “Why didn’t you call me to pick you up?”

Yan Guiqui explained what had happened at the school: “A student spouted nonsense during the debate and made the teacher so angry that he fainted. Since it was a teacher from our college, we took him to the hospital together. I hitched a ride back on the way.”

Jiang Xuehe asked, “Is the teacher alright?”

Yan Guiqiu couldn’t help but laugh and said, “He’s fine. It’s just that some of his past embarrassing moments were brought up by the student as an example during the debate. He got too worked up, and it was like a sudden surge of anger. When we reached the hospital entrance, a nurse pinched his philtrum, and he was fine after that.”

However, since they were already at the hospital, the school staff were worried he might have some underlying health issues, so they took him for a full check-up.

The teacher in charge accompanied him, and the remaining matches naturally had to be postponed.

Jiang Xuehe turned back to grab her phone and said she would take Yan Guiqiu out for a meal.

Yan Guiqiu remarked to Xiao He from behind, “Lately, it seems like I’ve been having quite a connection with hospitals.”

Jiang Xuehe overheard and scolded lightly, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Yan Guiqiu quickly nodded in surrender, indicating she wouldn’t say any more. As she hopped off the stool, she asked, “Did Qin Xiangxi come by today?”

Jiang Xuehe glanced at Xiao He behind her.

Xiao He, realizing she had accidentally let slip something she shouldn’t have, awkwardly stuck out her tongue and lowered her head, pretending not to know anything.

Jiang Xuehe hadn’t planned to bother Yan Guiqiu with these trivial matters but had forgotten to remind Xiao He not to say too much to Yan Guiqiu.

Ever since Xiao He realized that Yan Guiqiu had practically become the lady boss of the shop, she had become increasingly unreserved when talking to her.

Basically, whatever Yan Guiqiu asked, Xiao He would answer.

Still, it wasn’t anything too serious, so Jiang Xuehe didn’t make a big deal out of it. After saying goodbye to Xiao He, she took Yan Guiqiu out. “I’ll tell you in the car.”

Once they were in the car, Jiang Xuehe briefly explained how Qin Xiangxi had shown up with her parents.

Yan Guiqiu already knew about Qin Xiangxi’s “crush” on Jiang Xuehe, so there was nothing particularly sensitive about that part.

However, when it came to the part about Yan Guiqiu, Jiang Xuehe hesitated for a moment.

Yan Guiqiu happened to be nearby and sighed, “She’s really too persistent. With that kind of determination, she could achieve anything. If she had just set her sights on someone else, her kid might already be old enough to run errands.”

Jiang Xuehe glanced at her, thinking to herself that this one really had no sense of crisis at all.

That person did want to change targets.

But the problem was, she switched from her to her partner.

“I think she seems quite satisfied with you,” Jiang Xuehe said, trying her best to keep her tone from sounding too sour or displeased, though she clearly didn’t succeed.

“Me?” Yan Guiqiu paused while fastening her seatbelt. She had already suspected something, and after turning it over in her mind, she roughly understood.

Could it be that she had really been reborn ahead of time?

But she didn’t dwell on it. With a click, she fastened her seatbelt, then looked up and smiled at Jiang Xuehe, speaking casually, “I’m not an option.”

Jiang Xuehe: “Hmm?”

Taking advantage of the fact that Jiang Xuehe hadn’t started the car yet, Yan Guiqiu slowly shifted closer to her. Once she had closed the distance, she quickly leaned in and planted a loud, enthusiastic kiss on Jiang Xuehe’s cheek.

“I already have you,” Yan Guiqiu said. “There’s no room for her to interfere.”

Support